Free Online Guitar Tuner
Tune your guitar instantly with our free online guitar tuner. Chromatic detection, 12 alternate tunings, reference tones, and a visual gauge. all in your browser with zero downloads.
Guitar Tuner
Free - Microphone - A440
Why Use This Guitar Tuner?
Most online guitar tuners give you a basic chromatic display and nothing else. This tuner is built specifically for guitarists, with 12 alternate tunings ready to go, a visual string panel that shows exactly which string you're closest to, and reference tones you can tap to tune by ear. It runs on the Web Audio API. No Flash, no Java, no download.
| Feature | This Tuner | Clip-On Tuner | Other Online Tuners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $15–$30 | Free (with ads) |
| Alternate Tunings | 12 built-in | Limited | 1–3 |
| Reference Tones | ✓ | ✗ | Some |
| String Detection | ✓ | ✓ | Basic |
| Works Everywhere | Any browser | Physical device | Varies |
| Accuracy | ±1 cent | ±1 cent | ±3–5 cents |
How to Tune Your Guitar
- Click “Start Tuner” and allow microphone access when your browser asks. No audio is recorded or sent anywhere.
- Select your tuning from the dropdown. Standard (EADGBe) is the default and what most beginners and intermediate players use.
- Pluck the low E string (6th string, the thickest). The tuner will detect the pitch and show the closest note, cents deviation, and which string you're tuning.
- Adjust the tuning peg until the needle centers on the green diamond and the status reads “In Tune.” Moving the peg toward you raises the pitch; away lowers it.
- Repeat for strings 5 through 1 (A, D, G, B, high E). Always tune from the thickest string to the thinnest.
- Double-check by going back to the 6th string. Changing tension on one string can slightly shift the others, especially on acoustic guitars.
Guitar Tunings Guide
This tuner includes 12 tunings. Here's when and why to use each:
Standard (EADGBe)
The default tuning for 99% of guitar music. Start here if you are a beginner.
Drop D
Lowers the 6th string to D. Essential for rock, metal, grunge, and heavy riffing. Power chords become one-finger shapes on the bottom three strings.
Drop C
The full guitar is tuned one step down, then the 6th string drops an additional step to C. Used in heavy metal and post-hardcore.
Half Step Down (Eb)
Every string tuned down half a step. Popularized by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Guns N' Roses. Reduces string tension for easier bending.
Full Step Down (D)
Every string tuned down a whole step. Common in heavier blues, grunge (Alice in Chains), and baritone-ish tones on a standard guitar.
Open G
Strumming all strings produces a G major chord. Used by Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), Robert Johnson, and countless blues and slide players.
Open D
Strumming all strings produces a D major chord. Popular for slide guitar, folk, and fingerstyle.
DADGAD
A suspended tuning with a Celtic, modal sound. Used by Jimmy Page, Pierre Bensusan, and many acoustic fingerstyle guitarists.
Open E
Produces an E major chord when strummed open. Used by Duane Allman and in many blues slide styles. Higher tension on the B and G strings.
Open A
Produces an A major chord. Useful for slide playing in the key of A.
Open C
A rich, resonant open C major chord. Used by Led Zeppelin ("Friends") and John Butler.
Double Drop D
Both E strings tuned down to D for a droned, symmetrical sound. Used in folk, fingerstyle, and some Neil Young songs.
Common Tuning Problems & Solutions
Guitar won't stay in tune
Stretch your strings after installing them. Grip each string at the 12th fret and gently pull it away from the fretboard 3–4 times, then retune. Also check that your tuning machines are tight and your nut slots are properly cut.
Tuner jumps between two notes
This usually means background noise is interfering. Move to a quieter room and pluck the string firmly so its fundamental frequency dominates. Mute other strings with your fretting hand.
Open string is in tune but fretted notes are sharp or flat
This is an intonation issue, not a tuning issue. Your guitar's saddle position may need adjustment. On electric guitars, you can adjust each saddle screw. On acoustics, this may require a luthier.
Tuner detects the wrong octave
If you see the correct note name but the wrong octave number, make sure you are plucking cleanly without harmonics. Pluck near the sound hole (not directly over the 12th fret) for the strongest fundamental.
Who Is This Guitar Tuner For?
- Beginners - Starting out and need a reliable, free way to keep your guitar in tune while learning chords and scales.
- Gigging musicians - Need a quick backup tuner when your clip-on dies. This works in any browser on your phone.
- Songwriters - Experimenting with alternate tunings for new sounds. Pair this tuner with our AI Song Lyrics Generator for complete songwriting sessions.
- Producers - Recording guitar tracks in a home studio. Use our Free Online Metronome alongside this tuner to stay in time and in tune.
- Bass players - Check out our dedicated Bass Guitar Tuner optimized for low frequencies with 4, 5, and 6-string support.
- Teachers & students - Quick, no-install tuning during lessons. No app to download, no accounts to create.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this online guitar tuner really free?+
Yes. This guitar tuner is 100% free with no sign-up, no ads blocking the interface, and no feature limits. It runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API and your device microphone.
How accurate is this guitar tuner?+
The tuner uses an autocorrelation algorithm for pitch detection, which is accurate to within ±1 cent. It displays your pitch deviation in cents so you can fine-tune precisely. For best results, tune in a quiet environment.
What tunings does this guitar tuner support?+
This tuner includes 12 tunings: Standard (EADGBe), Drop D, Drop C, Half Step Down (Eb), Full Step Down (D), Open G, Open D, Open E, Open A, Open C, DADGAD, and Double Drop D. Select your tuning from the dropdown menu.
Do I need to install anything to use this tuner?+
No. This tuner works entirely in your web browser. No downloads, no apps, no plugins. Just open this page, click Start Tuner, allow microphone access, and begin tuning.
Can I hear a reference tone for each string?+
Yes. Tap any string in the string panel to hear its reference pitch. The tuner plays a triangle wave tone that mimics a guitar attack, making it easy to match by ear.
Why does the tuner say I need microphone access?+
The tuner listens to your guitar through your device microphone to detect the pitch. When you click Start Tuner, your browser will ask for permission to use the microphone. No audio is recorded or sent anywhere. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Does this work on mobile phones?+
Yes. The tuner works on iOS and Android devices in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. For the best results on mobile, hold your phone close to the sound hole and tune in a quiet room.
What does "cents" mean in tuning?+
A cent is 1/100th of a semitone. When the tuner shows 0 cents, you are perfectly in tune. Positive cents means sharp (too high), and negative cents means flat (too low). Most ears cannot hear a difference of less than 5 cents.
What is Drop D tuning used for?+
Drop D lowers the 6th string from E to D. This gives you a deeper low end and makes power chords playable with one finger on the bottom three strings. It is widely used in rock, metal, grunge, and fingerstyle guitar.
What is the best tuning for slide guitar?+
Open G (DGDGBd) and Open D (DADf#Ad) are the most popular slide tunings. Open G is used by Keith Richards and many Delta blues players. Open D is favored in folk and bottleneck slide styles.
Can I use this tuner for a 12-string guitar?+
Yes, you can use this tuner for the primary strings of a 12-string guitar. The standard tuning works: just tune each pair to the correct pitch. The octave strings on the lower four pairs should be tuned one octave higher.
Why does my guitar go out of tune quickly?+
Common causes include old strings, temperature or humidity changes, an improperly cut nut, unstable tuning machines, or not stretching new strings. If your guitar loses tuning within minutes, try stretching your strings by pulling them gently away from the fretboard after installing.